As evacuees from the Los Angeles fires search frantically for temporary lodging, many of them are reaching out to San Diego County hotels, which have mobilized to provide deeply discounted room rates.

The San Diego Tourism Authority, in tandem with the local lodging association, has created a web page with a growing list of discounted accommodations, from the Bahia Resort Hotel and Catamaran to the Rancho Bernardo Inn and La Jolla Shores Hotel.

San Diego-based Evans Hotels, which has properties in the Mission Bay area and La Jolla, already has about two dozen bookings from L.A. residents forced to leave their homes following multiple firestorms in Pacific Palisades, Malibu and Altadena. Many simply want to get away from the smoke and fire blanketing Los Angeles right now, said Robert Gleason, CEO of Evans Hotels, which operates the Bahia and Catamaran resorts, in addition to the Lodge at Torrey Pines.

According to the lastest estimates from fire officials, there are more than 9,000 homes, businesses and other structures that have been destroyed by the Palisades and Eaton fires burning across Pacific Palisades and Altadena, which is near Pasadena.

Gleason said that at the Bahia and Catamaran hotels, Evans Hotels is offering 25% off standard room rates, 40% off suites, and a waiver of resort, parking and pet fees.

“We started getting calls first thing yesterday morning from evacuees, trying to book a reservation because hotels in L.A. were filling up pretty quickly,” Gleason said Thursday. “The reality is that none of the guests staying with us really want to be with us but are here out of necessity.

“We had a call with the executive committee of the San Diego County Lodging Association this morning, and everyone is trying to do whatever they can. In the lodging business we get to participate in really joyous times for people and also in times of great stress and challenge for people. We see both extremes.”

The Tourism Authority has assembled a list of offers that is being continually updated on a website it created related to fire relief. Among the more generous discounts is 50% off at the Park Hyatt Aviara Resort in Carlsbad; a $99 daily rate at Humphreys Half Moon Inn on Shelter Island; and 50% off available rates at the La Jolla Shores Hotel and La Jolla Beach and Tennis Club. Expiration dates vary from property to property.

“We were monitoring conditions in San Diego to see if we would have any challenges here, but so far conditions look good,” said Kerri Kapich, chief operating officer for the Tourism Authority. “We had heard from a few hotels along the beach areas that they had calls from L.A. residents, and then thought we’re in a situation where we can reach out to our membership and other hotels in the community to see if they’d like to put offers out there. It’s gratifying to see hotels are doing that.”

In addition to local hotel discounts, Airbnb also has announced that it, too, is reaching out to those made homeless by the Los Angeles wildfires. It is offering free, temporary housing via a partnership with 211 LA to connect with those impacted by the fires.

In what will be the biggest day of the Mountain West men’s basketball season to date, Saturday looms large for all six of the conference’s top contenders. 

The action-packed day begins with New Mexico (13-3, 5-0) hosting San Diego State (10-3, 3-1) at 11 a.m. Mountain time. UNLV (9-6, 3-1) and Colorado State (9-6, 3-1) will meet in Fort Collins at 2 p.m. with Boise State (12-4, 4-1) and No. 25 Utah State (15-1, 5-0) closing the night at Dee Glen Smith Spectrum. 

In the latest NCAA Tournament projection from ESPN’s Joe Lunardi, the MWC remained a two-bid league with Utah State (seven seed) and San Diego State (eight seed) earning spots. New Mexico was listed among Lunardi’s first eight out. 

Here is a look at our midseason Mountain West power rankings.

Last result: 85-78 win at San Jose State (Tuesday)

Season record: 15-1, 5-0

Analysis: Utah State finally cracked the AP top 25 in the latest poll. Other than a 75-73 loss to Big West-leading UC San Diego, the Aggies have been perfect this season under first-year head coach Jared Calhoun. 

Up next: Saturday vs. Boise State, 7 p.m., CBS Sports Network

Last result: 67-38 home win over Air Force (Wednesday)

Season record: 10-3, 3-1

Analysis: The Aztecs held a seven-point lead over Utah State with 90 seconds remaining before losing on a late Tucker Anderson 3-pointer. San Diego State has bounced back nicely with convincing wins over Boise State and Air Force. 

Up next: Saturday at New Mexico, 11 a.m., CBS

Last result: 81-59 home win over UNLV (Tuesday)

Season record: 12-4, 4-1

Analysis: Boise State played arguably its best game of the season against UNLV, shutting down Dedan Thomas Jr. while getting strong offensive contributions from seven different players. When the Broncos’ offense is clicking, few MWC teams can match their firepower. 

Up next: Saturday at Utah State, 7 p.m., CBS Sports Network

Last result: 61-53 win at Wyoming (Tuesday)

Season record: 13-3, 5-0

Analysis: Despite a strong body of work, the Lobos sit way down at No. 67 in the NET Rankings. A victory over San Diego State would provide a major boost to New Mexico’s NCAA Tournament resume. 

Up next: Saturday vs. San Diego State, 11 a.m., CBS

Last result: 91-64 home win over Fresno State (Tuesday)

Season record: 9-6, 3-1

Analysis: The Rams have feasted on the bottom of the conference with victories over winless Fresno State, Nevada and San Jose State. Senior swingman Nique Clifford remains one of the MWC’s top players and is averaging a double-double at 16.6 points, 10.3 rebounds and 3.4 assists. 

Up next: Saturday vs. UNLV, 2 p.m., Mountain West Network

Last result: 81-59 loss at Boise State (Tuesday)

Season record: 9-6, 3-1

Analysis: UNLV took a step back Tuesday in a non-competitive loss at Boise State. The Rebels have one of the conference’s best players in Dedan Thomas Jr., but the sophomore point guard needs more help. 

Up next: Saturday at Colorado State, 2 p.m., Mountain West Network

Last result: 82-81 overtime loss at New Mexico (Jan. 4)

Season record: 8-7, 0-4

Analysis: It’s been a nightmare start to MWC play for the Wolf Pack, who have lost their four conference games by 11 combined points. With upcoming games against Fresno State, Air Force and San Jose State, Nevada has a chance to get its season back on track. 

Up next: Saturday at Fresno State, 5 p.m., Mountain West Network

Last result: 61-53 home loss to New Mexico (Tuesday)

Season record: 9-7, 2-3

Analysis: The Cowboys were outscored 43-21 after halftime in Tuesday’s loss to New Mexico. Wyoming does hold a three-point win over Nevada, but the Cowboys are staring at a tough upcoming schedule with a home game against Colorado State sandwiched between road trips to Boise and Las Vegas. 

Up next: Jan. 14 at Boise State, 7 p.m., Mountain West Network

Last result: 85-78 home loss to Utah State

Season record: 7-10, 0-5

Analysis: Unlike the MWC’s bottom two teams, the Spartans have been quite competitive this season with single-digit losses to New Mexico, Boise State, UNLV and Utah State. Senior guard Josh Uduj, a Utah State transfer, is averaging 16.8 points per game for San Jose State. 

Up next: Saturday at Air Force, 1 p.m., Mountain West Network

Last result: 91-64 loss at Colorado State (Tuesday)

Season record: 4-12, 0-5

Analysis: The Bulldogs have dropped 10 of their last 11 games following a 3-2 start to the season. First-year head coach Vance Walberg has his work cut out for him. 

Up next: Saturday host Nevada, 5 p.m., Mountain West Network

Last result: 67-38 loss at San Diego State (Tuesday)

Season record: 3-12, 0-4

Analysis: Air Force was the victim of a 44-4 scoring run during Tuesday’s loss. That is … not good. 

Up next: Saturday vs. San Jose State, 1 p.m., Mountain West Network

Annie Crowell Kuzminsky

OBITUARY

Anne (Annie) Kuzminsky, beloved wife, mother, and sister passed away peacefully surrounded by her family, after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. She was 63.

Annie is survived by her husband Larry, her son Steven, her daughter Charlotte, her son Jack (Alex), her siblings Steven (Liz) Crowell of Houston, Texas; her brother Richard (Allison) Crowell of Pacific Palisades, California; her sister Karen (Gary) Wagner of Manhattan Beach, California; and her sister Catherine Crowell of Omaha, Nebraska.

Annie was born in Altadena, CA to James and Alice Crowell and grew up in San Mareno, CA. She attended college at Santa Clara University and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in accounting. Annie then moved to San Diego, CA where she met and married Larry Kuzminsky in 1989.

While residing in San Diego, Annie worked for several years with the accounting firm of KPMG and obtained her CPA. She next worked for First National Bank for several years before leaving to spend more time with her children and work part time for 20 years as a consultant for Madison Square Properties. Annie was not tempted by the corporate ladder and received satisfaction from her work relationships and doing her job well.

Annie loved being a mom and raising her three children. She helped out at the elementary school, and later enjoyed going to the many soccer games, baseball games, and track meets they participated in. Annie also loved animals. As a teenager she talked her parents into having a dog (Mitsy) and cats (Spido and Dido). More recently Annie enjoyed fostering kittens which inevitably led to the adoption of several of them. Aside from pets, one of her more memorable experiences was a safari trip to Africa.

Annie’s favorite place was the family house at Capistrano Beach. She had many fond memories of get togethers there with college, work and neighborhood friends. During family trips, she enjoyed watching the kids play, walking on the beach looking for glass, and seeing the beautiful sunsets. It was a great place to relax.

Annie had a great laugh and was one of a kind in the best way. Her moral compass was set to “true north” of caring and doing right. Annie was always her authentic self and her friends and family loved her for it. She was a realist but had a knack for looking on the bright side. That was her strength, but the cancer took all she had. She has earned her rest but will be greatly missed.